FERN CASES. 



175 



FERN CASES. 



constitute their chief charm, and which 

 are chiefly in favour during the season in 

 which they are in bloom, it would be 

 objectionable. In the constitution of ferns 



FIG. 4. I'HECoOi'TEKIS VULGARE, OR COMMON 

 POLYPODY. 



there is as much difference as in the con- 

 stitution of flowering plants that is to 

 say, some ferns, being thoroughly hardy, 

 will do well out of doors without the 

 slightest protection ; others, again, require 

 shelter, either in a cold greenhouse in 

 which no artificial heat is introduced in 

 the winter season, or a cool greenhouse in 

 which artificial heat is merely utilised for 

 the exclusion of frost ; a third class is 

 formed of stove or hothouse ferns, which 

 require heat, and such treatment as may 

 assimilate the conditions under which they 

 are grown as closely as possible to those 

 under which they flourish in their native 

 climes. 



Ferns, Filmy. These ferns, which are 

 extremely beautiful in form, are not suit- 

 able for outdoor culture, but should be 

 grown under a bell-glass or in a Wardian 

 case in a room or greenhouse. The 

 varieties most commonly grown are Hyme- 

 nophyllum Tunbridgense, H. linilaterak, 

 and Trichomanes radicans. " They should 

 be grown," says Mr. Gill, "in seed-pans 

 well drained, with good leaf mould, a 

 little loam, and nearly half its bulk of 

 small broken sandstone or soft bricks. 

 The mould should be raLed, using little 



crooks to peg the fern on the mould firmly, 

 leaving room round the sides for the bell- 

 glass on the inside of the pan. Some 

 prefer wood to grow them on, but wood 

 decays, and the whole mass of ferns arc 

 disturbed. They require very little water 

 over the fronds, sufficient only to clean 

 them, keeping the glass off for a time to 

 dry the fronds, or they will turn black. 

 Should the fronds look dry or shrivelled at 

 any time, plunge the seed-pan in water, 

 letting it stand till soaked." 



Ferns, Potting. When ferns are grown 

 in pots or boxes, care should be taken that 

 the drainage is perfect, and for this pur- 

 pose a layer of broken potsherds, fragments 

 of brick, and pieces of porous stone should 

 be placed at the bottom, and on this the 

 soil or compost, which should consist of 

 leaf mould, sandy loam, fibrous peat, and 

 silver sand, the first three ingredients 

 being taken in equal proportions, and 

 sufficient of the last named to make its 

 presence apparent through the entire mass 

 when mixed. With the compost should 

 be mixed small lumps of crumbling sand- 

 stone or decaying brick, which tends to 

 keep the soil open, and affords a substance 



G. 5. SCOLOPENDRIUM VULGARE. 



to which the rootlets of the fern can cling. 

 All ferns should be potted firmly, and the 

 earth well pressed about the roots just 

 below the crown. 



